March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

And the day of my open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve.

On March 2006, morning the paramedics were late, at 7 AM, to transport me to the hospital where I would have the surgery. All of about a 10 minute drive if that. However it was the first time, in about two weeks, I inhaled the outside air. I did not care if it was laced with exhaust. I was outside. And free--if just for a few moments. I remember being prepped for my surgery. The preppers were all younger than me, yet I had to trust them. All nice tho. Then when whatever they completed what they completed a young man said, "Put her out."

***The next thing I knew, I woke up, with my arms tied down and a tube down my throat. Yea. I remember that REAL well. I wanted to yank that sucker out of my throat ASAP. I woke up sooner than they expected. Caught em off guard.

Good. It was almost 4 pm.

Anyway, I was taken to ICU. I dozed in an out. My feet felt containers between my legs. Of course, I tried to pull them out by my feet. Catheters. For my bladder and one for the incisions in my tummy for the fluid.

During one of my 'in' moments, I whispered to a nurse and asked what time it was. Twas a little after 7 pm. I asked her to turn the TV to "American Idol." Yep. You read right. "American Idol." I don't remember much of that episode. Yet I still was able to have some of my routine and watch one of my favorite TV shows--as I dozed in and out. My life changed six years ago that day -yet some stayed the same.

Just like tonight. Time for some "American Idol".

And I am blessed.

Realize

I can't stay up til 11:30 PM every night
And think I am able to function
Well the next day at work--
I ain't 20 something anymore when I'd go to
Work the next day, with still a buzz in my head
And on about 2 hours of sleep
So I realize the answer is
Naw. Can't do it.
Need rest.
Can't scrimp on it.
Got that message when I had that
Pesky open heart surgery for
My mitral valve replacement a few years back
Yea, fatigue sets in I know it.
Feel like lead. Heavy eyelids sting.
Today, I did make it thru. Not as well as yesterday
When I got a great night's sleep.
So my goal: to push my bedtime back an hour
It had been before.
Let Mr. Sandman, especially if he looks like Denzel
Do his thing-
While the cat chomps my fingers--again.
Realize, I wouldn't want it any other way!

5 Years Ago Today

The last words I heard were "Put her out."

My chest was cracked open.

Machines pumped life thru ny body as I slept

My heart had to be stopped and

"Readjusted" so the surgeon could go behind and inside it

To replace my mitral valve, which I never knew existed until 2 weeks prior...

Work was done and heart jumpstarted

In recovery, I woke up sooner than expected-

Imagine that

They had to hunt down the surgeon to

OK the tube removed from my throat

In ICU, I was shot up with painkillers

Doozed in/out, mainly out

As "American Idol" was played on TV

Open-heart surgery 5 years ago today-

Will never stop talking about it

Death was the alternative

He had other plans.

4 days later the doctor said I could go home.

On this day, in 2011, I marvel at the

Birds in my yard and new blooms

Simple things. Great things.

5 years ago, I wondered how

Different my life would be

....and I am still in discovery-

I am blessed.

Thursday Tune Up

Naw. It wasn't for my car--

Eventho it could use an oil change for sure--plus a good wash I digress.

This tune up was for my heart. It was a six month check up with my cardiologist, Dr. Sara. I'll be honest, I was a little scared. Why?

Because Dr. Sara was going to review my ECHO (an ultrasound of my heart). When I took the ECHO, I was so under stress professionally, which slid off into my school work. I didn't have any solace. I just knew Dr. Sara would tell me my heart's lining had gotten thicker. This concerned her in my last appointment and was due to blood pressure. This go-round she was happy because it was back to normal. My EKG was 'clear' and no change to meds I take.

I had mitral valve replacement surgery caused by the disease endocarditis. A valve I never knew existed literally got feasted on by a disease I never heard of. What basically happened, bacteria from an infection landed in my valve and clustered. They decided my valve was tasty and dug in. A piece of the cluster broke off and journeyed to my brain. The neuro-doctor said I had a stroke that wasn't a stroke--basically my brain burped.

Well, it burped enough because my speech was effected for about a week. Slurred. Missed words, even tho I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't.

Now almost five years later, I got this exam thing down pat. EKG and ECHO are more than just alphabet letters. I check my own coumadin level. When the scar itches, I just scratch and pretty much forget who may be looking. I remember what it was like when it hurt to move an inch in bed, due to my breastbone healing and weeks it took to sleep on something else than just my back.

I don't see Dr. Sara again until July. She's a nice lady, looks like younger Susan Lucci. I don't want to see her any sooner than July, unless we're both eating pie at Celebrity Bakery. Dr. Sara's parting words to me were: "I don't know what you're doing, just keep doing it."

Yes, indeed--that's the kinda tune up I like!

I am blessed.

Heart and Humidity.

Since my little open-heart surgery adventure, back in March '06, I've learned to listen more to my body. My body's reactions, I usta pretty much ignore. Learned how to adjust, unless the culprit is humidity when the heat is high. Like today.

Summer tries to slap us upside the head, just a few more times, until October comes round the bend. This morning, when I left for work at 7:30, the temp was already 80 degrees F and the humidity was 88 %. Muggy with a capital UGG.

I felt it. Bad. It doesn't happen that often, yet when it does, I do panic. Smacks me upside the head. I wonder if my breath will be short. Will I pass out? I didn't have to walk far from the parking lot to my job, once I arrived. I'm glad because I felt it all the way. Don't like that feeling.

Yea, my scar itches sometimes, however it's the high humidity like today, when I'm reminded I did get my chest cracked open and a machine pumped blood and oxygen into me to keep me alive while surgeons worked on me. Oh, and and for my mitral valve replacement surgery, they had to readjust my heart so they could go behind it and inside my heart to fix me. Adventure, indeed.

So this morning I recalled it all. Now when I left work today, the temp was up in the 90's, heat index over 100, yet the humidity is at 52%. Not as hard as this morning's smack upside the head, just a little thump.

You realize how far you've come and with a wave from Mother Nature, you realize how fragile you really are. So you seek a remedy:

Trust me.
It works.

Twist

Kinda wish I had a twist of lime for-well-of course, with me, I'd buy 3 limes, use half of one and the rest would just rot.

Bad Thomasina.

Haven't been here in awhile. Did done the school thing, which included a paper due last night. I got it in. So quite tired tonight. Got another due next Monday--and I cannot wait until the last minute to do it.

Fretted about money. Yea, OK...NEXT!

Had to get my Coumadin level checked on Monday-which I call my POKE, cuz my finger gets poked for a drop of my blood. Ya know, to check if its too thick/too thin, since I have my little mechanical mitral valve clicking away inside me. Can't have any clots forming around it. Was in my range, so I don't have to go back for a month. Been doing the Coumadin since March 2006. Hard to imagine my life without it or the scar on my chest. Medal of honor in a way. I survived.

Wait--remember last week I spoke of Bear's Facebook's status was changed to 'married' and I text'd him congrats? Well, never heard from the guy until Saturday. Said he the account was hacked into by somebody who was trying to cute and funny. My thought: it was probably the female who wanted TO change that status to married. What made me feel good was, I was really OK with him being married.

Come a long way, Thomasina.

So as Dallas bakes in over 100 degrees F oven, I'm off to munch salad, pet a cat and give me a one night school break with aLOT of TV.

Twist of lime in a strawberry limeade....

March 24, 2006 was Friday

On this day, in 2006, after 25 days I was finally released from the Hospital.

My souvenir of the said adventure was the scar on my chest. This was due to my little open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve with a mechanical one. And at the time there was a golf ball size bump at the top of my incisions, which eventually went down. I hadn't washed my hair in 3 weeks.

Before Movie Man came to get me, my Infectious Disease stopped in and said, "So this is what you look like in real clothes!" We both chuckled. Then when Movie Man came in, he was surprised how much thinner I was. Me too really. We were both glad I was out of the faded hospital gown. With Movie Man's carrying my stuff, a nurse wheel chaired me out of the walls I'd known for 25 days to Movie Man's truck.

That Friday was dreary and chilly. Yet, in my mind the sun's shine was everywhere! In Movie Man's truck, I sat in mostly silence. Just stared out the window. I realized I could have died 25 days ago.

Yes, the sun''s shine was there. .

Fast forward to this day in 2010. The kitty posted here who snoozes right by the monitor as I type this?

He ran so fast down the steps and meowed so loud, this day in 2006, when I called his name as I stepped inside my cluttered apartment. He jumped on the arm of the couch and head bonked me with meows so loud they rivaled the size of my tears.

I could have died.

I didn't.

Yes, the sun does indeed shine.

I am blessed.

March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

On this day in 2006, was my open heart surgery day to replace my mitral valve. Did I ever mention I didn't even KNOW I had a mitral valve until they told me mine was damaged by this infection called endocarditis? Anyway, since my date with the surgeon was to take place at a sister hospital, the paramedics were to come get me at 6AM.

They didn't. More like closer to 7am. I'd been awaken to take a quick sponge bath, change into my surgery gown, gather what belongings I had left and wait to be taken. Well, I waited.

When the guys did show up, I was strapped to a gurney and rolled on my way. All the nurse that taken care of me said their good byes and told me to call them to let them know everything was OK. For the brief moment I was wheeled outside from this hospital to the waiting ambulance and into the sister hospital, I had my first taste of fresh air in 15 days. Even filled with exhaust, I didn't care. Wonderful. The paramedics told me there was no way they could have picked me up at 6AM because, they didn't even start their shift until after 6. Oh well.

Since I was late, and my surgery was first of the day, the nurse in charge of doing prelims was ticked. I was released from the gurney and then she walked me to different stations to take my vitals. I realized how weak I really was--I couldn't keep with her on these short walks. The nurse grumbled how all surgeries were now pushed back for the day. Considering I didn't WANT a surgery, I was kinda OK with that. Anyway, the nurse took vitals and I remained silent and did as I was told. Then after the vital taking, a group of folks helped me back on a gurney to get me prepped.

They were all nice, asking if I was OK as they measured my mouth for a tube or somesuch. jabbed me for IV's and whatever else they did. Then I heard "Put her out."

Next thing I heard was, "Good Afternoon!" I squinted at the clock. 3:45PM. A tube was still down my throat. I just knew I would choke. I heard a female say, "She woke so fast. Where's the doctor?" I heard the same female voice talk to the doctor by phone, "Yes, she's awake already!" All in all, I was later told, by that female nurse she'd never had a patient wake up as fast as I did. They needed the doctor's OK to get the tube out of my throat. If I hadn't been strapped down, I was gonna pull that sucker out myself.

Fast forward to this day in 2010. Got my praise on at Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. Once again affirmed how people in your life, can step between you and your blessing. They may still be committed to the flesh, while you are now committed to your spirit. I thought of folks I've loved, yet at the present are out of my life. I love them, but we just don't connect--at least, for right now.

As for the rest of this Sunday, it's over 70 degrees. Sun continues to shine. The flowers posted up top are in my backyard at this very moment. Downed iced coffee and pet Perry the 81/2 year old orange tabby cat who was nice enough to keep me company while I typed this.

Now if you will excuse me, Mama got new tennyshoes and gots to take a walk. You see, because of this day in 2006 with my trust in One Who Knows to guide surgeons while I lie on that table with machines keeping me alive --I can. .

So I woke up too soon from surgery, eh? Well, I have things to do.

I am blessed

March 13, 2006 was Monday

And on this day in 2006, it was Open Heart Surgery for Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement Eve. Yes, the last night I would ever NOT have a scar on my chest, a keloid one at that. or pop six pills a day or realize some of my hair fell out or hear my own self tick when all is quiet or have EKG and PT/INR mean more to me than just letters for Scrabble.

That Monday night I walked my last visitor, of the day, Movie Man to the hospital elevator. He had stayed past visiting hours, which was common. Tears were in his eyes. I tried to smile and told Movie Man everything would be alright. As I watched the elevator doors close on Movie Man's wet eyes it signaled it was almost here. I turned and walked alone back to my room. Even with my trust in God, I wondered if He would just let sleep tomorrow and call me Home.

Fast forward to this day in 2010. WEDDING! Not mine. Heck, I'll be 100 before THAT happens. Nope, my chum who I baked the peach pie for her bridal shower, a couple Saturdays ago, got married. It's a bet overwhelming. I've had other friends marry, yet this one...hit me hard. I'm not old enough to be her mother, will--I coulda been, if I'd been active at a real younger age. There's a 14 year age difference between us. I've told her, when she was born, her family celebrated in her birth, while my family, just a 6 days later cried at the death of my mom. So maybe one is to live while another dies. I've seen my chum grow up, from a brat, when we could not stand each other, to this intelligent, business and independent woman. She really is like my baby sister, and we started our spiritual journey about the same time, so we grew in Christ. That was good.

When I arrived at the church, after overshooting the parking garage, the groom's mom (we bonded at the bridal shower) took me up to see the bride. My chum and both started to tear up as I told her how proud and beautiful she was and then she blubbers, "You're crying, I've never seen you cry!" We both laughed. It was a nice moment, and later at the reception one of her sister's showed me the picture she took of the two of us at that moment. Nice day, nice day indeed.

Now, if you will excuse I got me some left over wedding cake to snarf down and a Lifetime movie to watch.

I am blessed.

March 8, 2006 was Wednesday

On this day in 2006, a doctor, who would definitely not be confused with any Doctor McDreamy from Gray's Anatomy, bounced into hospital room and blurted, "I've got good news for you! You're surgery is Monday!"

I looked at him and asked, "What's the good news in that?"

He looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. The good doctor explained the surgery would get me fixed up and out of there. With that he exited, as I sat there to digest his words. Yet, he was back in less than 5 minutes.

Turns out there were too many surgeries on Monday, so I was pushed back until Tuesday. And with that, the doctor left again. I sat there. Wished he'd come back and tell me all this was just a big joke. How my eight days (and counting) in the hospital was just a way to keep me away from sampling all the Blue Bell Ice Cream in Dallas....

Alas not to be. So, now I had six days to ponder my date with a scalpel and whatever would be needed for my open heart surgery to repair or replace my mitral valve. A valve I didn't even know existed until a week before.

That's what I get for not paying enough attention in my 6th Grade Life Science class...:)

Fast forward to 2010. Gotta paper that must sparkle for my college instructor, then I'll pet a cat or two, munch a salad topped with Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette dressing (YUM!) and then off to my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church, to help celebrate Pastor Rickie Rush's 50th birthday and count down to my own birthday in 31 days...

I am blessed.

Tuesday Twinkle

Had the day off. So nice. Jaunted to see my Heart Doc for my 6 month check up. Said all my numbers looked good. I looked good. My mechanical mitral valve sounded good. And silently I was glad the medical assistant didn't weigh me. Said their scale was outta whack. Being told tidbit that lowered my blood pressure about 10 points alone. The only thing my Heart Doc says is, "You need to be exercising more."

I laughed. I told her how I hadn't been doing it as much of recent times (months?) as I should.

Heart Doc laughed back and said they could tell. Turns out my recent ECHO (ultrasound of my heart) showed them my dirty little secret. My Heart Doc says we need to make sure my heart muscle remains strong so.....And I so agreed. After my appointment with her, I sauntered to my Coumadin check aka my POKE test (which lets me know if my blood to thick or too thin, where my valve is concerned), I headed to the park I walked so many laps around during my open-heart surgery recuperation. This was at the apartment complex I lived in prior to the purchase of the house. Had the park there, plus a work out room for the days I couldn't get outside. I still miss the convenience of the two.

Lastly, after my laps of the park. I sat on my Forrest Gump bench. How many times had I sat and contemplated how life would be as each day I grew stronger? All in all, a nice walk. Pet a couple of dogs out walking their humans. Nice to realize time has moved on. Nice to realize I've had no set backs.

Nice to know I am blessed.

Twinkle in my eye indeed.

Task Tuesday

Took the day off. OK, so where is the task in that?

Well, it was six months check up with my cardiologist. After that I headed for my coumadin checked aka my POKE test. Honestly, I am always nervous when I go to the doctor. My blood pressure spike proves that. Even with that, I am doing wonderful on both the valve and coumadin. My doctor says my valve sounds good and is happy I'd increased my exercise level. Which tonight includes my first aerobic class at the rec center. Also, last night I chatted with my chum Maria about our resuming our weekly racquetball meet. Maria will go back to normal hours next month--and we both look forward to that! I've missed r-ball alot!

So the doctor was my main task today. Then tonight will be the aerobic class, however in the middle I treated myself to a movie. I thought of seeing "Star Trek" a second time. Then I thought, 'go see something new! So I ventured to a movie that two critics glowed about on TV: 500 Days of Summer. The kicker, it wasn't at any of my usual theater--which translates into the moving picture show less than 5 minutes, up the street from my house-nope. This was a theatre I'd been to, maybe twice with Movie Man--and he drove. I just consider it "out in the field'--because if you don't know it's there--you miss it. Like I did. I stopped and asked directions, because calling the 411 on my cell phone wouldn't let me talk to a real person.

For the movie? Very cute. Not so much a chick flick and I felt for the main guy. I liked it alot. And liked more the fact I did see something new--however I will get beamed up again by Star Trek in the near future...

As for another task-gotta enjoy the rest of having this day off. Being home during the day still conjures emotions I had during my 2006 recuperation--I like doing what I want and need to do on working days...yep--need that home business...

Stay tuned.

March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

I remember it well. Sorta.
The day of my open heart surgery to repair or replace my heart's mitral valve.
I was to be transported to the sister hospital where the heart surgeries were done.
The paramedics who were to do the transporting were an hour late.
The nurse to sign me in and get started in the prep was not happy.
Turns out the paramedics didn't start work until the hour they were suppose to pick me up.
I was just happy to get a dose of fresh air for the first time in almost two weeks.
Made it through the surgery unscathed.
In fact a nurse boasted how I tried to wake up faster than any one she'd ever seen.
Of course--I wanted OUT.
That night, my TV in ICU was on American Idol. I dozed off and on-mostly off.
Hooked up to every machine like from the Starship Enterprise.
The next morning around 7 am, a physical therapist told me I was going for a short walk.
Sure. Well, we did--with catheter and another jug hooked up to my belly to collect fluids.
My best friend announced my surgeon had said I'd probably have to stay 6-8 weeks.
Because of this 'stroke' which wasn't a stroke, per the neurologist, I had.
Don't think so. Surgery was Tuesday. By Saturday, I was asked how I felt about going home.
Don't to ask me again.
Fast forward to this day in 2009.
As Movie Man was there for me in 2006, he was there for me today.
Quite the adventure we had today--from morning til past sundown.
Rode the train to Ft Worth.

Laughed. Walked. Did a movie. Laughed more. Basked in the moments.
After dinner, back in Dallas, headed to his place to walk the dogs Movie Man's dog sitting for.
By this time it was dark. Couldn't see much.
To finish up the day Movie Man proved once again how he's a true friend.
He washed the dog poo off my shoe.
If not for my date with a surgeon 3 years ago, coupled with my trust in the One most High.
I would not have had today.
I am blessed.

March 13, 2006 was Monday

You remember it well.
Twas the eve of your open-heart surgery.
To repair or replace your heart's mitral valve.
You didn't even know such a thing existed.
Only until much blood, tests and x-rays were taken.
Even then your neurologist said, "There's nothing wrong with you. Why are you here?"
But there were lesions on your brain. Why?
Endocarditis.
A disease you never knew existed until that moment.
That's what you get for no grade "A" in 6th Grade Life Science.
Bored, yet eager to get on with it.
Had to wait 6 days til your date with the surgeon.
Sat in the hospital. Made friends with nurses and some doctors.
Chums call and visit. Flowers arrive.
The last person to see you this night was Movie Man.
He stayed until 9 pm or so.
You walk him to the elevator, your arm thru his.
Movie Man has on real clothes, while you in faded, hospital gowns.
Would pay ransom to have on real clothes and leave this place.
Tears and fright cloud Movie Man's eyes.
You smile to console and reassure him that
You'll see him soon.
A hug seals the deal and Movie Man gets on the elevator.
You tell him again that you'll be OK.
Your eyes lock as the doors close.
You stand still and wipe your own eyes.
Then turn and walk back to your room.
You repeat your mantra: Psalms 50:15
Promise to give Him all your troubles.
He will rescue you.
Just give Him the glory.
Tomorrow life will change
You are blessed.

Monday Marvel

My Cousin Sussers was to be released from the hospital today. Will call her tonight just to make she's following the doctor's orders.

Saw my first robin today. I smiled. I could hear my Daddy, up in Heaven, whisper in my ear, "See your first robin, Spring is not far behind." Heard him tell me that so many years. I miss my Daddy. And I can hear him say, "You big baby." And I would respond with, "Yes I am. I'm your baby. No matter how old I get." Then Daddy would chew on his King Edward cigar.

The marvel of cleaning out litter boxes and to put trash by the curb. It's such a chore. And the one time, I really wish a man was here full time to do the trash thing. Then my mind wanders to after I had my mitral valve replacement surgery and my first full shower after. I ran out of breath just as I dried myself. I had to sit down. I about collapsed getting to the chair.

Panic. Would I always need to stop and catch my breath? For anything--even as simple as drying off?

When I mutter about the trash I should remember how it was in 2006, and how it is now.

I'll take now. Quite the Monday Marvel.

I am blessed.

February 28, 2006 was Tuesday

Remember it well. After spending all of the 27th day and night in the ER, and having a MRI or was it a CT scan?--it doesn't matter I had them both--first thing the morning of the 28th, I was taken to a 9th floor room in the hospital. "Neurology: was on a sign to welcome me. My speech was hit, miss and slurred. Once in my room, a nurse figured I'd had a stroke. She told me this as she put down my breakfast tray, gown and readied me for an IV.

Petrified.

At that point, nobody knew where I was. Looking back, I had an emergency contact. My best friend. She was not notified.

The stroke, was not really a stroke, yet a symptom of endocardities. A piece of that infection broke off and traveled to my brain. My brain burped as the Neuro Doc said, hence my speech became hit,miss and slurred.

The endocarditis damaged my mitral valve-until this adventure I had no idea we even had such a thing-so it needed to be replaced. My scar reminds me everyday.

I left the hospital on March 24, 2006

Fast forward to 2009. I'm headed to Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. To try my luck on the penny slots---yea, I live dangerously--

Some folks think I already have.

I am blessed.

A Day

one day closer to Movie Man leaving me. Not in a bad way. In a good way...for him. Movie Man had a good interview today. Proud of him. Know he sparkled. Happy for him, kinda yuck for me It's that whole patience thing I have to remember. It's all in His time. Not mine. That really is the kicker. I am better than I was in the past. Some folks, who read this blog may disagree. :)

Oh well.

On the bright side. I headed for my Poke today. That's what I call my Coumadin check-due to having the mechanical mitral valve in my heart. I tick. Did you know? When it's real quiet, you can hear me. Anyhoo, the Coumadin check is to see if my blood is too thick or too thin. Vitamin K affects Coumadin aka green stuff like broccoli or spinach. Today I was right in the middle of my range. 3.0. So I don't have to go back for another month. Glad. Through this whole ordeal, I've not had one major setback. Very Glad.

And since we're in February, it's when I start to reflect how my life changed in February 2006, February 27 to be exact. The day paramedics carted me to the ER. I spent all day and all night, and nobody knew where I was. Left the hospital on March 24, 2006--scar and all. Movie Man picked me up. Took me to Wal-mart so I could buy groceries. I drove that little cart and ran over everybody. I digress, plus I was scared to even THINK about spinach or broccoli, cause the nutritionist told me 'avoid it at all costs' because of the Coumadin. I didn't buy any that day.

Took me six months to finally get OVER that. Brings me today. I'm consistent in my Vitamin K eating. Don't think twice. Your body needs em. Just need to be consistent. Today, I'm in my range. Feel good. Cardiologist says, my valve works great, my heart itself works great, and she knows all is well with me. Even tho Movie Man might leave me, that's OK--it's time for him to move on. He'll just owe me a burger at the best burger place in Dallas: Burger Island! :)

On this day I'm very, very glad.

Monday Medicine

Got POKED today. That's what I call my Coumadin check aka INR. Because of the possibility of clots forming around my mechanical mitral heart valve, I pop Coumadin everyday. And let me just say this up front: I HATE to pop pills of ANY kind. Even while in the hospital, for my surgery--one of the nurses said, "Don't be so brave!" Which meant I wasn't asking for many painkillers. The pain I felt was more of an annoyance than anything else. Having the the breastbone heal can be an impatient kind of thing. The day I could finally sleep on my side, I almost ordered up a parade--and that was still some weeks after surgery.

So back to this pill thing. I HATE it. I don't want to take Coumadin or anything else I'm prescribed. My blood pressure pill, for instance, looks like something only my friend Flicka would get down easily. To pop a pill, to me, is to admit there's something wrong. Kind of a pisser really. Something I've had to work on mentally.

And had to learn how to feel good about eating Vitamin K, which effects Coumadin. We're talking green leafy vegggies here: spinach, broccoli. The more you eat of Vitamin K, the blood clots. Consistency is the name of the game. Guess you could call me a poster child. Unless,something else comes along, Coumadin and I are bonded together forever.

Oh well.

This little thing called "life" keeps me grounded. I realize I will do what I need to do to keep truckin. Sure, there's some side effects. Minor ones in my thoughts. I've had a few--fatigue for one, yet a small price to pay for a glassful of Life. And besides, there are cats to pet and Blue Ice Cream to savor. I can deal with what I gotta do, in spite of not feelin' a whole lotta love for the meds.

I am blessed.

Tuesday Heart and Times...

Got POKED today.

Hold on.

That’s the name I gave to my blood being checked/monitored. To prevent the form of clots around my mechanical mitral valve, coumadin (also known as warafin) is part of my daily regimen. True, this stuff was originally peddled as rat poison, yet was approved for medical use in the early 1950’s. It appeared to be effective and relatively safe in prevention of thrombosis and embolisms, (abnormal formation and migration of blood clots). I must have my blood checked every so often to make sure it’s not too thin or too thick—‘in the range’ of 2.5 to 3.5. Today 2.8. Happy Day—because I don’t go back for another month.

The POKE is really called my INR (international normalized ratio). It ensures I’m taking the proper daily dosage. It’s conducted pretty much the same way as if you’re checking your sugar level. My finger gets POKED (aha!), a drop or two of blood is put on a strip, which is then inserted into a little tester machine. A couple minutes worth of wait and chat with the nurse—then your INR number pops on the little tester machine’s face. The higher the number the thinner the blood, the lower means thicker. Once my INR was 1.4 and panic ensued. I had to give myself 3 days of shots of another drug (the name fails me-sorry)to aid the coumadin. Because of my blood’s thickness, it was feared clots would form. Thankfully, they didn’t.

Coumadin’s effectiveness is mainly due to the amount of vitamin K (green leafy veggies, like spinach) eaten. While I x’d off days in the hospital and wondered when I could finally leave, I was told to avoid spinach and broccoli from here on in. I could dally in iceberg—to a degree. I informed the nutritionist it’d taken me 20 years to like spinach, and now I couldn’t have any? Avoid it, she said. Even on the papers for the rules and regulation for recovery, there was a picture of spinach with a line drawn through it. I panicked.

Scared to eat anything green. If I did—once a week—maybe. I thought my mechanical valve would squeak if I did. The sure squeak would go along with with its tick tick tick (I do tick, ask Movie Man). On that 1.4 INR day, the folks at my doctor’s office reassured me they could regulate me if I ate green—in fact my body NEEDED green. Until then, sometimes every three days, I would have to get my blood checked. I wasn’t even close to being ‘in the range.’ Nurses tried to tell me, “just be consistent.” Then as I waited for these shots at the pharmacy, I asked the pharmacist.

He repeated, “just be consistent.” I groaned. Told him I was tired of hearing that and just what exactly did it mean? Well, he said, if you eat three salads a week, you eat three salads every week. Not one here, or one there, but three. Otherwise my blood would spike, and that’s not good either. He assured I could be regulated. I don’t know why my 100 watt bulb finally, since these words had been repeated over and over--yet my own “AHA!’ moment.

That night I bought a bag of all ready made tossed salad made with iceberg lettuce. I was giddy enough you swore I carried a blue box from Tiffany’s. I wiped sweat from my brow as the loaded fork entered mouth. What would happen?

Nothing.

As days went by, I dared myself to add a few spinach leaves to my ready made tossed iceberg salad. I fretted the next time I went for the INR. When the little tester machine showed me smack dab where I needed to be, I smiled so bright I blinded myself and the nurse. Being ‘in the range’ began to happen more often. Also the longer I stayed ‘in the range’, the longer I could stay away before another POKE. The longest time allowed was six weeks—and I made it!

I’ve had a couple slips, just minor—yet I’ve become such a poster child on coumadin and Vitamin K. I know when to adjust and realized it’s just a part of my daily routine. For now, for always. These days, I have five salad days—really salad nights, plus my daily lunch mixed veggies. All about being consistent.

My Heart Doc says she likes how I just keep on truckin as if nothing happened. Until something comes along to remind me. Like my scar itches or then I need to get POKED. Tablespoons of inconvenience, those are.

OK, so I take something that can rid us of rodents—so what? This stuff helps to rid me of another hospital stay. I can handle a poison like that.

He didn’t bring me this far to leave me.

Sunday Thoughts...

Attended the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, again today. The message: I Need This Storm (Mark Chapter 4). How the deeper you get into Jesus, the more fierce the Storm becomes. Satan desires to snatch it all away from you. I know God wants to see you character—if you can handle the more blessings He wants to grace you with. One of my Storms was the heart valve (mitral) replacement surgery in 2006. Without my faith I would not be here this day. If my brief illness occurred a few years prior—a ‘whiner’ I would certainly be. "Why me?" I would have cried then. Today, on this day in 2008, I can still ask “Why me?” and only my response is “Why not me?” My belief is strong. My God didn’t leave me—Psalms 50:15 assured that. God had me rest for those few months for a purpose. Too bad my chest had to get cracked open to do it! Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have rested any other way. He knew that. My adventure brought me closer to Him—which was the intention. There have been some Storms since—nothing with my health—just the usual—money, job and can the Dallas Cowboys have another great season, only this time win in the play-offs? Whatever the Storm is, my God provides. Being this whole Christian thing is hard work---you learn by doing. Seek ye first and it all falls into place.

Donny Osmond. The first time I snapped his picture was either July 23 or 24, 1974. Need to dig out my diary for the right date. It was at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. My very first plane got me there. Donny stood outside the hotel’s restaurant where flashcubes flashed all around. We were both 16. Fast forward 34 years. I’d love to share a few minutes to sip an icy beverage as both put on our reading glasses to locate and discuss scripture. Lively conversation to be sure.

God has brought me far. Just didn’t know it at the time. I admit to my past. I have a testimony. It doesn’t seem that long ago I downed my favorite alcohol beverage and heard “Last Call” more times than I can say. Don’t hide from my faults, because the Storms I survived may help somebody else. Let’s face it, during my whole Osmond travels, where I was just a handful of Black girls in the crowd, did I ever think to discuss the Word with Donny, would be something to get excited about? Indeed, God has brought me far.

Sunday thoughts of how I’m glad the Starbucks closest to my house is NOT on the 600 store closing list. That I have a house of my own, with dishes piled high that I get to wash. Cats that give me some space on my own bed. A car, with warranty, sits in my drive way. And of course, tonight, since the cable bill is paid up, I can watch Aaron McCargo Jr get one step closer to being the Next Food Network Star.

On this day, I journeyed to God’s House, because He’s in mine every day.

On this Sunday I realize again, how much I am blessed.